Official Says Study’s Risk Factors in Crashes Raise Policy Issues

ast month’s report on large truck crashes raises the question of what should be done from a program and policy standpoint to reduce the risk factors, such as speeding or following too closely, that are associated with accidents, said a trucking industry official.

The report, released March 24, placed the blame on drivers in 88% car-truck crashes and said 36.1% of all truck crashes involved just one truck and one passenger vehicles. (Click here for previous coverage.)

“If you’re going to look at the meat of the study, you have to look at what are the primary causes of those crashes” and determine what can be done “from a programmatic and policy standpoint” to change that, said Dave Osiecki, vice president of safety, security and operations for American Trucking Associations.